The Link Between Insomnia and Accelerated Ageing
Poor sleep is not merely an inconvenience; it can lead to significant fatigue the following day. In older adults, insomnia has been associated with various health issues and signs of accelerated biological ageing. Recent research published in a prominent health journal indicates that addressing insomnia through cognitive behavioural therapy may yield a dual benefit: improving sleep quality while potentially slowing the body’s ageing process.
This study was conducted by researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and involved 92 participants aged 60 and above, all suffering from insomnia. Of these, 47 individuals received cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), while the remaining 45 participated in a sleep education intervention, which served as the control group.
CBT-I consisted of five key components: cognitive therapy, stimulus control, sleep restriction, sleep hygiene, and relaxation techniques. The primary aim was to diminish the physiological and cognitive arousal associated with insomnia, thereby restoring restorative sleep. In contrast, the control group was provided with information regarding sleep hygiene and biology, healthy and unhealthy sleep characteristics, as well as the impact of stress on sleep. Both interventions were carried out over a period of eight weeks.
Investigating Biological Age Changes
To assess whether the treatment correlated with alterations in biological age, also referred to as physiological age, researchers analysed blood samples collected before the intervention and approximately two years later. They examined the blood cells for patterns of DNA methylation, a chemical modification that can be used to estimate various aspects of ageing using so-called “epigenetic clocks.” The research utilised three indicators: DunedinPACE, GrimAge, and PCPhenoAge.
The most significant findings emerged from DunedinPACE, a measure designed to estimate the rate at which different bodily systems age. After adjusting for factors such as age, sex, body mass index, and others, participants who underwent CBT-I exhibited a slower rate of biological ageing compared to those who received sleep education.
Additionally, the analysis revealed notable differences in the progression of insomnia. Among the participants who received CBT-I, 34% (16 out of 47) experienced complete remission of their insomnia during follow-up, in contrast to just 13% (six out of 45) in the education group. Subsequent analyses indicated that those who continued to experience insomnia in the control group showed the most significant increase in DunedinPACE.
The Impact of Quality Sleep on Youthfulness
The researchers propose that a potential explanation for these findings may lie in the body’s response to stress. Insomnia can keep stress response systems activated, promoting processes such as inflammation and cellular stress. DunedinPACE may be particularly sensitive to these relatively rapid changes, as it integrates signals related to various biological systems, including inflammation and glucose metabolism.
Judith Carroll, the lead author of the study and an associate professor of psychiatry at UCLA Health, remarked, “Insomnia in older adults is often viewed as a quality of life issue, but these findings suggest that it could also be a modifiable risk factor in the ageing process. Just as we advise patients on physical activity and diet to promote healthy ageing, this highlights sleep as another essential behaviour worthy of attention for health improvement.”
Future Research Directions
However, the authors caution that these results are preliminary. The analysis included only a subset of participants from a previous trial, which limited the sample size. Additionally, the participants were relatively healthy older adults from a university medical centre in Southern California, which raises questions about the generalisability of the findings to other populations.
At this stage, the study does not establish a causal link between treating insomnia and increased longevity or a literal “rejuvenation” of the body. Instead, it demonstrates an experimental association between cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia and a favourable change in one of the epigenetic indicators of ageing. The researchers emphasise the need for larger trials with more diverse populations and comprehensive follow-ups to ascertain whether these changes persist and translate into long-term health benefits.
For those interested, the original study can be consulted and downloaded through appropriate channels.